From the balcony of her high-rise apartment on the Gold Coast of Australia, a TikTok user named Maria (@maria.in.australia) had a stunning view of both the city skyline and the seascape just beyond it. But while the ocean appeared to be peaceful and calm,
a closer look revealed that it was actually being used as a playground.
After waking up to watch the sunrise one recent morning, Maria could just make out something moving in the water far in the distance. Unsure what it was, she grabbed her phone and zoomed in.
That’s when she witnessed a heartwarming family moment between a whale and her calf:
“I knew it’s whale season in Australia, so when I saw some big splashes, I got my phone to zoom and look better,” Maria told The Dodo. “To my surprise, they were breaching.”
No one knows for certain why whales breach. Some experts believe they may leap from the water to communicate, remove parasites or simply have fun. But one thing is clear:
Sometimes, it’s a family affair.
What Maria saw was a mother whale breaching, and her baby following suit.
For Maria, that chance sighting from a distance will stand out as an unforgettable memory.
“It was an incredible moment! I’m from Italy, so I’ve never really [seen] whales before,” Maria said. “I’m so glad I could see it.”
